With the help of a ping-pong tournament, Richard Nixon’s diplomatic goals got a boost.

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to July 10, 1971, when Henry Kissinger is reported to have suffered a terrible stomachache while abroad. In fact, he was really working covertly on an important part of President Richard Nixon’s international agenda.

Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America’s presidential carnival.